Friends

Monday night I got all dressed up, waited for the honey to get home so I could ditch the kids,

then waited for this girl to show up, cause we had a very important date...

We met up with these two girls. Stacey and Deeann (Teryl was supposed to have been there, and something came up at the last minute) these are our very best friends from our highschool days. We met up for dinner at where else....Olive Garden. We got there at 6:00 and I am not ashamed to tell you, we closed that place down. Basically had to be kicked out. The evening was a long time coming. If you remember, my dear friend Stacey...she is the one pictured with me, well it was her little girl who was diagnosed with leukemia a little over a year ago. I am pleased to tell you that she has been cancer free for over 6 months now, we pray every single day that it stays that way. She is doing absolutely phenomenal, and kicked some cancer you know what. Stacey lives in Texas but came home this past week for her brothers wedding. You had better believe we all gathered together to see her. I would love to tell you it was an easy breezy, carefree night full of laughter and giggles. Now trust me, a whole lot of that went on but there was also alot of heartfelt and emotional conversations. We spoke of loss, of trials, of seperation, of hurt feelings and basically just life. Hard to believe these were the same girls from 12 years ago. The ones that constantly were stuck in the middle of the intersection cause someone doesn't know how to drive a stick, the ones who skipped out on class and rallied around me in the 10th grade bathroom cause a certain someone had just broken up with me (Thiago...jerk), the ones who went flying off a balcony into a pile of blankets and sleeping bags to the song "i just want to fly". Life has changed us, we've all been through some "stuff", we have been pulled in different directions and taken different routes but in the end we are the same. They are the girls I remember. The night was a bit emotionally exhausting, I came home with a mind full of questions and insight. I was questioning myself, my relationships etc. I don't want to go in to much detail but if anything this night taught me that no matter the difference in people, no matter how far apart you may seem...some relationships are worth fighting for. I am grateful for these girls and the impact they have had on my life. I keep thinking about all the different friends in my life, some old, some new and the thought that keeps coming back to me is that I hope they know what they mean to me. People come in and out of your life and some leave lasting impressions....and those are the relationships you hold on to. Cause in the end you want those people standing by your side, you want them to have your back. Love these girls....love all of you, my blogging friends, you all make a difference and I am thankful to have your friendship. Enough about that.

We had even more fun the next day...this time we brought all of our little monkeys with us. My three, except Carson had to leave early cause he had school. Jen had Luke and Miss K (lance had school), Stacey brought Miss Faye and her little Nixon (Mitchell already headed back to Texas with his dad) and Deeann had her little Dexter. Teryl had to work and still couldn't make it. We missed her and her two boys so very much. Hopefully next time.

Our attempt at a group shot. It seriously took us like 30 minutes trying to get them in position and in the end it still didn't really work out. Ha.

Here is our little Faye. The cancer survivor. Isn't she beautiful, I tell ya she is just like her mama. As beautiful on the inside and she is on the out. It is hard for me to look at her and think of all she has been through in her young little life. She is a hero, that is for sure. An inspiration to us all.

We met up at a local park with what else but Mcdonalds. Us girls had our caffeine and the kids had chicken nuggets and monkey bars, what more can you ask for.

(these little one year olds...too funny. I love the way babies size each other up. Nixon totally wanted to be Drake's friend, Drake was a little uncertain.) 2 days that I know I will remember for a long, long time. They opened my eyes and gave me a reminder of what this life is all about. The people you love and the relationships that will never die. Love to you all.... Honestly, am I sentimental or what???? I am such a nerd.